Bob Reynolds

Saxophonist. Composer. Melody Architect.

Rejection Is Not a Final Destination

by Bob Reynolds Get exclusive music

Closed sign.

Rejection sucks.

Last week I found a folder containing rejection letters I’ve received since high school. Disney. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, The Henry Mancini Institute, ASCAP, the NFAA. Yale.

Seeing them took me right back to that feeling. That twinge you get in your stomach when you open those letters.

You know the moment you see the envelope. It’s small; letter-sized and white. If it were good news it’d be large, and maybe manila yellow.

You open it and read the first sentence: “Thank you for ____, but…”

Ouch.

Stings for a bit as you consider all the wonderful things that are not about to happen to you.

Just remember rejection is not a final destination.

Despite the 10 rejection letters below, I’m still making music.

Rejection letter from NFAA
1995 – NFAA. I was pretty crushed to only get honorable mention.
1997-03-03_rejection-letter_disney
1997 – Nope. Not good enough for the Disney band.
2001-12-19_rejection-letter_monk
2001 – Thelonious Monk Institute Saxophone Competition. No dice.
2001-04-25_rejection-letter_mancini
2001 – Henry Mancini Institue
2001-04-24_rejection-letter_monk
2001 – Thelonious Monk Institue
2002-02-01_rejection-letter_monk
2002 – Monk Institute jazz composers competition.
2006-02-01_rejection-letter_yale
2006 – Yale. Tried to enter grad school for classical composition. Clearly lacking chops.
2006-05-24_rejection-letter_jac
2006 First Music (composer commission rejection)
2006-02-02_rejection-letter_ascap
2006 – ASCAP Young Jazz Composer (Honorable Mention)
2006-02-17_rejection-letter_jaxjazz
2006 – Jacksonville Jazz Festival … and I grew up there!

About Bob Reynolds

Bob Reynolds is a jazz saxophonist and 3x GRAMMY Award-winning member of the instrumental supergroup Snarky Puppy. He's toured and recorded with John Mayer and released 11 albums as a solo artist. Bob teaches jazz improvisation and saxophone lessons through his Virtual Studio and an annual retreat for saxophonists.

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Comments

  1. Lars Jarefjal says

    Haha, You are a generous man Bob who also share your misfortunes and that it requires both tenacity, courage and a belief in oneself to achieve success . In addition to making good music , you are also a very good teacher , You have been a great help to me during the 3 years that I followed your course , please. Thanks Bob?

    Cheers
    Lars J
    Sweden

  3. Chris French says

    Thank you for sharing these “rejections”, Bob! Dealing with adversity in a healthy way is a key to enjoying life fully. Many traditions have a saying like, “As one door closes two more open up in its place”. How does one turn wounds into gifts? It’s all in the attitude. Our hardships can help us build character, compassion and empathy. The Japanese have a method where they repair cracked pottery with gold, and the results are beautiful. At the very least, these can help you play the blues with more feeling than ever!

  4. Sam says

    This has hit close to home! I’m glad you posted it as well! Look forward to seeing you next week at camp!!!!

    Sam

  5. Brian Golden says

    Wow, This was so similar. I got rejected from U of H, SFA and also Texas State University for Music Education. I’m currently trying out again in two days, but I’m really glad I read this. Pretty much almost every time I go into the practice room I tell myself I suck. Now that I know someone else had it worse I’m much more calm. Thanks for your words of wisdom.